Methodist bishop reverses decision that removed lesbian from ordination track
Austin American-StatesmanDecember 13, 2013
AUSTIN, Texas — An Austin
woman is back in the running to become an ordained deacon after a bishop
reversed an earlier decision by regional church leaders to stop her bid
because she is a lesbian.
Mary Ann Barclay, 28, a youth director at University United Methodist Church, said she was pleased by Bishop James Dorff's ruling, which was posted online Thursday.
"I'm just glad to know that he recognizes that the most Christian and Methodist thing to do was to correct the wrong that has been done and to move forward from that," said Barclay, who changed her last name from Kaiser after marrying her partner in August.
In June, the board of ordained ministry, which has about 40 members, voted to remove Barclay from the ordination track at the Southwest Texas Conference's annual conference in Corpus Christi. The board of ordained ministry cited Barclay's sexual orientation as the reason, and a larger group of clergy voted to affirm the decision.
The denomination's Book of Discipline says the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christianity and bars the ordination of "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals."
The Rev. John Elford, a senior pastor at University United Methodist Church, appealed the board's decision on procedural grounds. Elford said the board should have interviewed Barclay, per the church's official procedure, before removing her from the ordination track.
Dorff, who was supposed to rule on the appeal, initially wrote in July that he felt giving a decision would be "improper" for technical reasons. The Judicial Council, the church's court, disagreed and asked him to decide on a ruling.
Dorff's ruling on Thursday said the board "rendered a judgment" on Barclay "but did not follow the process." He declined to comment.
The Judicial Council will decide in April whether to uphold Dorff's finding.
If Barclay wins the appeal, she will be interviewed and examined by the board of ordained ministry _ the same group that removed her from the ordination track a few months ago. The board's members serve 12-year terms.
"I really believe when we come to this new interview, we need to be objective," said the Rev. Suzanne Isaacs, who chairs the board.
Under the denomination's Book of Discipline, the board asks all candidates about their calling, their theology and their character, of which inquiry about their sexual orientation is a small part, Isaacs said.
The board decides whether candidates can begin a two-year ordination preparation, at the end of which they become ordained ministers.
Barclay said she's optimistic that the board will vote in her favor the next go-round.
"I'm really just trying to be open to them, and to not make assumptions on how they will act, and really trying to have faith in their ability to see me as a human being," Barclay said.
In an interview with a district committee in Austin, which recommended Barclay for ordination in April, she came out as a lesbian. If ordained, Barclay hopes to change the perspective some Methodists have of homosexuality, she said.
Barclay said being a deacon is her "calling." "The passion for the church that I have, and my passion for the way the church intersects with society, they have led me to recognize that I would best be able to live out who I am as a minister in the church," Barclay said.
Barclay married her partner, Annanda Barclay, in Maryland at a conference held by Reconciling Ministries Network, which is trying to change the Methodist denomination's official stance on homosexuality. They married in a gazebo, surrounded by friends, Barclay said. Their church in Austin threw a wedding shower.
___
(c)2013 Austin American-Statesman, Texas
Visit Austin American-Statesman, Texas at www.statesman.com
Mary Ann Barclay, 28, a youth director at University United Methodist Church, said she was pleased by Bishop James Dorff's ruling, which was posted online Thursday.
"I'm just glad to know that he recognizes that the most Christian and Methodist thing to do was to correct the wrong that has been done and to move forward from that," said Barclay, who changed her last name from Kaiser after marrying her partner in August.
In June, the board of ordained ministry, which has about 40 members, voted to remove Barclay from the ordination track at the Southwest Texas Conference's annual conference in Corpus Christi. The board of ordained ministry cited Barclay's sexual orientation as the reason, and a larger group of clergy voted to affirm the decision.
The denomination's Book of Discipline says the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christianity and bars the ordination of "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals."
The Rev. John Elford, a senior pastor at University United Methodist Church, appealed the board's decision on procedural grounds. Elford said the board should have interviewed Barclay, per the church's official procedure, before removing her from the ordination track.
Dorff, who was supposed to rule on the appeal, initially wrote in July that he felt giving a decision would be "improper" for technical reasons. The Judicial Council, the church's court, disagreed and asked him to decide on a ruling.
Dorff's ruling on Thursday said the board "rendered a judgment" on Barclay "but did not follow the process." He declined to comment.
The Judicial Council will decide in April whether to uphold Dorff's finding.
If Barclay wins the appeal, she will be interviewed and examined by the board of ordained ministry _ the same group that removed her from the ordination track a few months ago. The board's members serve 12-year terms.
"I really believe when we come to this new interview, we need to be objective," said the Rev. Suzanne Isaacs, who chairs the board.
Under the denomination's Book of Discipline, the board asks all candidates about their calling, their theology and their character, of which inquiry about their sexual orientation is a small part, Isaacs said.
The board decides whether candidates can begin a two-year ordination preparation, at the end of which they become ordained ministers.
Barclay said she's optimistic that the board will vote in her favor the next go-round.
"I'm really just trying to be open to them, and to not make assumptions on how they will act, and really trying to have faith in their ability to see me as a human being," Barclay said.
In an interview with a district committee in Austin, which recommended Barclay for ordination in April, she came out as a lesbian. If ordained, Barclay hopes to change the perspective some Methodists have of homosexuality, she said.
Barclay said being a deacon is her "calling." "The passion for the church that I have, and my passion for the way the church intersects with society, they have led me to recognize that I would best be able to live out who I am as a minister in the church," Barclay said.
Barclay married her partner, Annanda Barclay, in Maryland at a conference held by Reconciling Ministries Network, which is trying to change the Methodist denomination's official stance on homosexuality. They married in a gazebo, surrounded by friends, Barclay said. Their church in Austin threw a wedding shower.
___
(c)2013 Austin American-Statesman, Texas
Visit Austin American-Statesman, Texas at www.statesman.com
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